If your home’s foundation is cracking or settling, a contractor may recommend polyurethane leveling or mudjacking. These two foundation repair methods are very similar, but a few variances set them apart. We briefly explain the difference between polyurethane and mudjacking to help you understand your options for foundation repair.
What Is Polyurethane Leveling?
Polyurethane leveling is one common method used to stabilize a sinking or cracked foundation. During this process, a contractor drills small, dime-sized holes into your foundation and fills them with ports, like funnels. They attach a pump to these ports and fill the holes with a poly mixture of di‐isocyanates and polyols. There, the di‐isocyanates and polyols react, turning into a rapidly expanding foam. This foam fills any cracks or gaps in the foundation, raising it to its original position. After the foam dries, which typically takes less than half an hour, the contractor patches the holes with compound, leaving your foundation looking almost as good as new.
What Is Mudjacking?
The mudjacking process is nearly identical to the polyurethane leveling process. The main difference is that polyurethane leveling utilizes polyfoam, while mudjacking utilizes slurry, a semiliquid mixture of water and cement.
Which Option Is Better?
Polyurethane vs. mudjacking: which option is best for repairing compromised foundations? Most contractors recommend mudjacking because it’s the most affordable of the two; however, it is one of the only benefits mudjacking has over polyurethane leveling.
Polyurethane leveling is more expensive, but it has numerous benefits that make up for this disparity. Compared to mudjacking, polyurethane leveling is:
- Less invasive. It requires fewer drilled holes.
- Easier to clean up after. It utilizes lighter equipment and materials than mudjacking, making the site easier to clear.
- Faster. Polyfoam cures in under half an hour; slurry takes a full day.
- Long-lasting. In many cases, it’s a permanent solution. Mudjacking results only last two to five years on average.
- Light and won’t lead to further settlement. Slurry is heavy and can add extra stress to a sinking foundation.
Long-term, polyurethane leveling is the superior solution to your foundation woes. But if cost is a major concern, mudjacking provides a cheap and reliable temporary fix.
